sturobturbo

I have just bought a ERST a couple of months ago, and on long journies - 300+ miles it can use half of it's oil capacity. I take it that i shouldn't use this much, I am new to turbos. Have the piston rings gone? Or is it down to it being heavily modified? It is a 2.1 ZVH, race spec head etc etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Stu.

SafeChav

Start with the basics mate!

These engines are prone to stem seals......only a few quid so try putting a set of them on! Up until a few weeks ago on the current car i run around in i wasnt actually aware of just how much smoke could be produced from knackered stem seals!

Im talking a MASSIVE embarassing cloud of smoke on start up and a constant trail whilst the engine is running...........until i had the the time to look into it i really did expect to find the piston rings were shot!

If that doesn't solve your problem...........a compression test would be the next best route, and should help you decide weather its turbo seals or internal engine wear you're dealing with!

sturobturbo

I wouldn't know how to go about changing valve stem seals. I have have had the head off a mini before though lol. What are the seals? Do they hold the valves in? Would these wearing cause massive amounts of oil being used?

Thanks for help.

jonesymk2

iTrader: (2)

the stem seals can be changed with the head left on the car,you take the rocker cover off,then take the rockers off then you use the proper tool thet bolts onto the rocker bolt,then when you tighten the bolt down 1 end of the tool pushes against the lifter and the other end then compresses the spring,once the spring is compressed you then take the 2 collets off then undo the bolt to release the spring

then once you hav removed the spring you will see the seal round the stem of the valve where the stem comes through the head,so that you dont drop the valve into the cylinder make sure that every piston you do the piston is all the way up,the valve will drop but only a little bit,the new seal will just slide over the valve stem right down to the head,then all you do is reverse what you do to take the spring off,it makes it easier if you use a little bit of grease when you put the collets back on as it will help hold them in place until the spring cap is fully raised

the tool for doing the valve stem seals is available from a few places,try your local motor factors shops or halfords,i think draper make them so any good motorist factors that stock draper tools should hav 1,hope this helps

<____ALEX____>

can leaking stem seals also make it difficult to start the car? my car smokes alot on start up and is quite difficult to start,i ran a compresion test and it all seemed ok so i presuming it is my seals gone.

cossiegreg1

if theres oil in the chambers when trying to start i imagine it would make it harder to start. (just a guess mate,im no mechanic!)
p.s get the stem seals done by someone who knows what there doing it wont be too expensive.

SafeChav

Depends how much oil we are talking exactly, but i wouldnt of thought it would make a massive difference.

For the price stem seals cost i would bung a set on and go from there, if it stops smoking you have one less problem on your hands.

Of course as always though, a compression test would never go a miss.